The Pittsburgh Steelers invested heavily in the offensive line this offseason, mainly in the 2024 NFL Draft. It was in the draft they took offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in Round 1, center Zach Frazier in Round 2, and guard Mason McCormick in Round 4. Of all these linemen, the one who is expected to have an immediate impact is Frazier. When considering how the team didn’t address the center position in free agency after releasing Mason Cole, it seemed as if Frazier was in a situation which was best suited for him to ease into the starting role almost immediately.

While the majority of the fan base might agree with this sentiment, it doesn’t mean the player who is currently getting first team reps in training camp, Nate Herbig, is just going to roll over and give Frazier the job. Herbig knows what it’s like learning multiple positions, and he also knows a little about playing center in the NFL.

“Even when I was younger with the Eagles, I was the backup center and my primary focus was on guard, I would take snaps every day,” Herbig said Saturday. “I’ve been doing that throughout my career, wherever I’ve been. So, I feel very comfortable.”

Herbig doesn’t have the strongest resume, as it pertains to being a starting NFL center, but he knows what comes with the territory of being a center.

“I understand what comes with it,” said Herbig, who has appeared in 61 career games, 30 of them starts. “I understand my responsibility to the offense, the offensive line, the team in general. I don’t take that lightly. I’m going to do my best to make sure we’re all on the same page.”

Ultimately, Herbig wants the offense to succeed, and he wants the offensive line to be a cohesive unit which would rank among the league’s best from top-to-bottom.

“We want to win badly,” he said. “We want to be one of the best units in the NFL, if not the best. That’s our goal. That’s our mindset. We work like that every day. We expect nothing less.”

Herbig gets an up-close-and-personal look at these young talented players every day, and he knows the combination of the rookies with last year’s draft class could be an unbelievable group for years to come.

“Super-talented,” Herbig said of the young additions. “Even last year with Broderick and Spencer, super-talented guys. Broderick was really good last year. Obviously, these three they brought in are uber-talented. It’s exciting to watch them grow. I love their work ethic.”

When it comes down to the wire, Herbig wants to be a starter, no genuine competitor would want anything else, but he also understands he’ll do whatever the team asks him to do. If they want him to be an interior back up at guard/center, he’ll do it. If they wanted him to be a rotational piece all along the offensive line, he’d do whatever he could to help the team win.

“Whatever they tell me to do, whatever position they tell me to play, I really only care about winning football games and trying to be a better version of myself,” Herbig said. “I only care about the team. Wherever they tell me to play, I’m going to put my best foot forward.”

Herbig is the type of player every coach wants on his team. He is willing to do whatever is asked of him for the team to succeed. He is the epitome of selfless, and that can be a breathe of fresh air in today’s professional sports climate.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of training camp and the preseason.